Automatic hell?

[Burst2Flame]

A question for any non-LDS out there. I'm just curious as to what mainstream Christianity believes about what happens to those that never heard about Jesus Christ or had a chance to accept Him on earth. Do they go to hell?

[Hemidakota]

Being a former Catholic, it was an assignment to hell.

[prisonchaplain]

Here are the common theories:

1. As Hemidakota suggests, some believe they will be assigned to hell. They were not chosen by God.

2. They will be judged based upon what they do know. Romans 1 says that humanity is without excuse because nature itself testifies to God's existence. Whether "General Revelation," (i.e. creation and other non-specific witnesses to God's existence) is enough to save remains a controversy. But those who argue this point of view believe it can be enough. Still far better to evangelize and offer aggressive evangelism.

I tend to go with the second view, but offer the even less concrete perspective that God is just. He is fair. He will do right, and come the Day of Judgment there will be no objections raised. All will proclaim that God is good, just and merciful.

[Burst2Flame]

1. As Hemidakota suggests, some believe they will be assigned to hell. They were not chosen by God.

Does that seem just?

2. They will be judged based upon what they do know. Romans 1 says that humanity is without excuse because nature itself testifies to God's existence. Whether "General Revelation," (i.e. creation and other non-specific witnesses to God's existence) is enough to save remains a controversy. But those who argue this point of view believe it can be enough. Still far better to evangelize and offer aggressive evangelism.

Even if nature itself testifies to the existence of a supreme being, how many people have lived and died without knowing anything about Jesus Christ and much less accept Him as their personal Savior?

I tend to go with the second view, but offer the even less concrete perspective that God is just. He is fair. He will do right, and come the Day of Judgment there will be no objections raised. All will proclaim that God is good, just and merciful.

I too find much comfort in knowing that we have an all knowing, just God who loves us with a perfect love. Thats why the doctrine of a spirit world makes perfect sense to me. Everyone will be taught the fulness of the gospel and will have the oppurtunity to either accept or reject it.

1 Pet 4:6

6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

How can the gospel be preached to the dead if there is no spirit world or at least some kind of holding area in between death and judgement?

P.S. Thank you PC for your kindness. I love when two people can have differing beliefs and talk about them peacefully. This isn't the case with many, many Christians but defenatley is with you. Thanks.

[prisonchaplain]

Does that seem just?

I'm not of this persuasion, but those who argue for Predestination respond by asking who can judge God? The world is his. He is sovereign. He is, by definition good and just. So, who are we to second guess him?

I'm with LDS in believing God gave us free will, though. (Yes, I know there is some nuance of difference between "agency" and "will").

Even if nature itself testifies to the existence of a supreme being, how many people have lived and died without knowing anything about Jesus Christ and much less accept Him as their personal Savior?

I suppose (some conjecture here) that God would tender grace to one who responded to the Creator, whether s/he could name him or not.

I too find much comfort in knowing that we have an all knowing, just God who loves us with a perfect love. Thats why the doctrine of a spirit world makes perfect sense to me. Everyone will be taught the fulness of the gospel and will have the oppurtunity to either accept or reject it.

There is no questioning that some of Joseph Smith's doctrines are attractive because they seem both kind and reasonable--especially to our pluralistic post-modern ears.

[Dravin]

I tend to go with the second view, but offer the even less concrete perspective that God is just. He is fair. He will do right, and come the Day of Judgment there will be no objections raised. All will proclaim that God is good, just and merciful.

Would it be fair PC to compare your position with the LDS response to questions concerning various aspects of sealings (What happens when *insert complicated hypothetical*). Basically, "I don't know, but I trust God will handle it, and that he'll handle it mercifully and justly."

I bring that up, because I think that since we as LDS have concrete (or more concrete, there is still a lot we don't know about the judgement and the next life) theology in this area we forget that, "I don't know, but I trust God." is an entirely valid answer (in my mind at least).

Edited March 23, 2010 by Dravin

[prisonchaplain]

Dravin, yes, of course, you are right. IMHO, the more we trust God, the more we can be comfortable with not knowing exactly how things have, do, and will work out.

[personne]

hello yes we believe to the hell .. People who do not go to confession, are not well seen. The evil people will cross its doors. I have a little trouble understanding why images terrified me when i was a child, over sin, hell, i should listen to the voice of God, the hell = the darkness endless ..

[AnthonyB]

I'd agree with PC second point of view.

It is faith that justifies (initially makes right with God and removes the separation from God) but I'm not the judge so I don't get to decide exactly what that faith looks like.

I know the NT normally describes it in terms of confession, repentance and baptism. That is the gospel offer we are to proclaim. What I also know is God justified through faith the OT "heroes" of faith, whose faith was in many ways a "foggy" assurance that God would look after things somehow/someday.

Those who hear the gospel should respond as God has requested them, those who have not heard (and only God knows what hearing means) I believe can still be saved through the faith that they have, a faith which may be little more then God will look after me.

God is both just and our justifier. No one will be unfairly dealt with in his judgement and many will get better then they deserve (that is the whole point of grace).

[CHowell]

I really like what AnthonyB has to say...But I think it's even deeper then that, I think it's grace through Faith. Therefore God grants us Grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. The reason I really do enjoy this particular answer is because; it includes all those who never had a shot at having faith. The Aborted baby, the brain damaged child. God our heavenly father can choose to reach down and call that child home to heaven and still save that child through grace.

That would be the only amendment to Anthony B's point.